Managing the Highs and Lows of Bipolar Disorder

There is no cure for bipolar disorder, but you can manage the highs and lows with the proper treatment. Since it is a chronic illness with no cure, bipolar disorder will be with you for the rest of your life. 

Like other conditions, bipolar disorder can go into remission.

The dictionary defines remission as:

“A temporary or permanent decrease or subsidence of manifestations of a disease.”

Although you cannot eliminate bipolar disorder from your life, you can reduce your manic and depressive episodes. These episodes can both decrease in severity and frequency when you successfully manage your bipolar disorder. To do this, you need to become an expert in managing the highs and lows of your illness.

As I mentioned above, bipolar disorder can go into remission.

My bipolar has gone into remission a couple of times. In fact, my longest stretch of stability lasted a couple of years. During these periods, I continued to take my medication and utilize my daily coping strategies.

Finding Acceptance

People have asked why I kept taking my meds when I started feeling better. 

There’s no point in taking medication if I feel better, right? WRONG!!

I feel better because I am taking my medication. If I stopped taking my daily medication, it is an absolute certainty that I would decompensate into a mood episode.

Accepting bipolar disorder is a hard pill to swallow, no pun intended. Coming to terms with your illness allows you the ability to move forward. From there, you can seek out the right treatment to create stability in your life. This will allow you the opportunity to pursue your likes, desires, and dreams.

Without acceptance, you will stagnate. I’ve seen it countless times when someone lives in denial of their illness.

Take a proactive role in your life, illness, and treatment. These are ways you can get the most out of life living with bipolar disorder.

Never feel bad or guilty for having bipolar disorder.

My mantra is: “Hope for the best, but expect the worst.”

Be careful of those who preach a quick fix to bipolar disorder. They shout from the rooftops, if you do XYZ, then you don’t have bipolar disorder or you are cured of bipolar disorder. As much as I would like to believe this, I can never give someone false hope. If it’s too good to be true, it generally is.

Years ago, after I learned that bipolar disorder could go into remission, I discovered a newfound hope. This horrible chronic illness could be tamed and I just had to find out how.

Treatment

Each person is different regarding their biology. This uniqueness directly impacts a person’s treatment plan. It is complicated to find a successful treatment plan but completely doable and within the realm of reason.

I completely support the medical model in the treatment of bipolar disorder. The medical model consists of both medication management and therapy.

For me, current scientific and medical evidence are the best sources to follow in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Since I was first diagnosed, I have been a firm believer in taking medication to help treat my bipolar disorder. My personal experience dictates that I need medication to function. It is part of my overall treatment plan.

Focus on your treatment plan to reduce the symptomology of your illness. This will, in turn, reduce the frequency and severity of both your manic and depressive episodes.

Empower yourself by being proactive in your treatment.

Managing the Highs and Lows of Bipolar Disorder

Managing the highs and lows of bipolar disorder takes commitment, dedication, time, and consistent work. Since everybody is unique and different, you need to find something that suits your own situation.

Here are some ways I manage my highs and lows:

Managing the Highs and Lows

#1 Reframe My Thoughts

It took practice to reframe my thoughts. I learned the technique from a good buddy.

The premise is your perception. Each person looks at how they view and perceive a situation from their own viewpoint.

Reframing your thoughts is a technique to change your own perspective and feelings about a particular situation or event. You want to switch your perspective to a more uplifting and healthy one.

For example, if you are in a situation where you have lost something, look at what you have to gain and not what you have to lose.

I would like to make something clear: I am in no way saying you need to just think good thoughts. I am not talking about willing away or trying to control your emotions. There is a huge difference between managing and controlling your emotions.

You cannot help how you feel about anything, but you can change your perspective.

Managing the Highs and Lows

#2 I Allow Myself to Feel ALL Emotions

I accepted my diagnosis of bipolar disorder years ago.

This acceptance gives me the confidence to battle my illness. I have lived, and survived, through both poles of bipolar disorder and everywhere in between. These experiences have shown me that I can live through those situations. It merely takes time.

I used to fight my emotions like sadness and irritability. Now, I give myself permission to feel those emotions and know it will pass.

It is just part of bipolar disorder.

Managing the Highs and Lows

#3 Focus on Self-Care

In addition to medication management and therapy as the foundation of my treatment plan, I utilize other activities to manage my bipolar disorder.

It is a necessity to integrate healthy coping skills and techniques into your daily routine and schedule.

For example, I exercise every day and focus on a healthy diet. My favorite type of exercise is weightlifting. I make sure to lift weights every day. 

I also enjoy biking, running, and walking. When the weather is nice and I am able, I take advantage.

To help me make better eating choices, I use the Noom App to help guide me. It has been a wonderful tool to help me manage bipolar disorder on a deeper level, supported by psychology.

Social rhythm therapy has helped me create a consistent and healthy routine. I set a target time every day to wake up, eat, snack, work out, write, and go to bed. It has been shown that a routine can help those of us living with bipolar disorder.

Homeopathic remedies provide other tools to support my healthcare needs. Aromatherapy is one of my favorites. I find smells to be extremely soothing, calming, and energizing. I have many essential oils that I use in my diffuser. Mixing different oils can help improve a particular corresponding frame of mind.

A Himalayan salt lamp sits out in my main room. It is supposed to have natural antidepressant properties and lets off a nice scent.

Self-care is not just one particular activity to be taken by itself. Instead, I look at the whole picture combining various self-care activities.

These self-care activities make up my self-care practice.

Managing the Highs and Lows

#4 Be Completely Transparent with My Doctor & Therapist

Both my doctor and therapist are a part of my support team. They impact how I manage my bipolar disorder and have been instrumental in helping me to manage my illness.

It is important to connect with providers you trust. Trust allows the gates to open so you can be honest with those treating you. These professionals need to make their decisions based on the best information available. You need to be completely open with them so they can help you.

Managing the Highs and Lows

#5 I Do Not Overextend Myself

Stress is one of my biggest triggers. I know stress is a trigger for the majority of us living with bipolar disorder. We need to take extra precautions not to take on too much to the extent of our mental health.

Only you can decide what is too much. Remember, it is okay to say “no.” It took me years to feel okay with saying “no”.

I have to be extremely careful when I take on new projects or pledge my time. Sudden surges in stress can destabilize me.

Our body reacts to stress, whether it is good stress or bad stress. The body does not distinguish. Stress is stress.

One way I reduce stress is by focusing on those areas that I can control. Controlling that which I can have always empowered me along my journey. 

Last Thoughts

Some days will be better than others. Many will feel unbearable.

Managing bipolar disorder is more than a full-time job. You have to deal with it every second of every day until the day you die.

I am consistently asking myself, “Will this make me feel better or worse?” I understand the journey can get extremely tiring, draining, and exhausting. Finding several self-care activities will help you along your journey.

Fighting a battle is tiring work, but remember, a warrior needs to take a break and recuperate every once in a while.

I know you can manage your highs and lows. I am not saying that it is a cakewalk, but it is extremely doable, well worth it, and will greatly enhance your quality of life.

Keep fighting.

Keep battling.

Never give up.

You are stronger than you can possibly imagine!